Zenit manager Semak demands title focus

MOSCOW: Russian Premier League table-toppers Zenit St Petersburg are hoping to make it four wins in as many meetings with Orenburg when they take on the promoted club on Sunday.

Zenit are five points clear of second-placed CSKA Moscow with reigning champions Lokomotiv Moscow third, just one point further back.

Zenit manager Sergei Semak has warned his men to take 10th-placed Orenburg seriously after watching his side struggle to a 1-1 draw in their last Premier League match at Spartak Moscow just before the international break.

"We played well since the league resumed from the winter break but we’ve lost points in our last league game having just two days for recovery after an important Europa League encounter," Semak told Zenit’s official site.

"Now, after the break for the international duties we need to refocus completely on the domestic league as winning of the Russian title is now our top priority this season. We can’t afford to lose points again."